Health Benefits of Glutathione

It seems that now and then something comes up like a bang to destroy all our health-related woes. However, after a little while, and with some careful analysis, the sad truth finally dawns upon us – the thing was always there but we lacked the tools/knowledge to decipher it!

Something similar has recently happened with an antioxidant known as Glutathione, a powerful antioxidant which already exists in both kingdoms of the living beings. Often termed as the “master” antioxidant, Glutathione is produced by cells comprised of three amino acids: glycine, glutamine, and cysteine.

This antioxidant is known to prevent and treat major diseases such as cancer, autism, heart problems, Alzheimer's, hepatitis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and several other health issues (source: WebMD). Seems a reasonably impactful antioxidant that entices one to know more about its properties, how it will make one healthier, and what will be the required fill, right? Let us hurry up towards answering these necessary questions about the health benefits of Glutathione!

Glutathione: What it is?

Glutathione is naturally found in both animals and plants. It is a tripeptide antioxidant, which means a very small protein, made by the combination of three amino acids:

1. Glutamate
2. Cysteine
3. Glycine

There are two forms of glutathione. One is active and one is inactive, and both forms have different operations. Here is a brief detail about the two forms of glutathione:

Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG) – this is the inactive form of glutathione which can recycle back into the active form once utilized fully.

Reduced Glutathione (GSH) – this is the active form of glutathione which helps to repair oxidative reparations and further helps in oxidizing of cells.

Our liver is the origin of glutathione, but it is also found in several kinds of fruits, meats, and vegetables. Apart from treating and repairing many major bodily processes, glutathione also makes important chemicals, proteins; building tissues and helps boost the immune system as well. As a medicine, doctors can give doses of glutathione in forms of oral supplements, inhalers, and injections, in case of a glutathione deficiency in the body (source: WebMD).

Many Health Benefits of Glutathione

Being a potent antioxidant, glutathione brings numerous health benefits for your body. These range from protecting mitochondria (building blocks of cells) to preventing the aging signs; from reducing stress to improving the body’s defense mechanism (immunity); treatment and prevention of diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to cancer as well as several other health benefits.

Now, let me be more specific about numerous wonderful health benefits that glutathione offers us in plenty.

Insulin sensitivity – resistance of insulin in the body is one of the major contributors to type 2 diabetes. When an imbalance occurs in insulin production, it causes the glucose to move out from the blood and into the cells as a fuel for the body’s energy requirements. Researchers at Baylor School of Medicine has studied the beneficial effects of glutathione in managing insulin sensitivity, especially for old persons.

Effective against autoimmune disease (immune system) – chronic inflammation that is caused by the autoimmune disease is a major precursor to various immune system disorders like adrenal fatigue, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), DiGeorge syndrome, etc. (source: NCBI) Glutathione helps reduce oxidative stress on the immune functions as well as protecting certain cells which can be destroyed by autoimmune disease (source: PubMed NCBI).

Reducing Parkinson’s Disease symptoms – Parkinson’s disease is a very troublesome ailment of the nervous system, in which a sufferer experience continuous body tremor. The disease, so far, has no cure at all. However, according to an article published on the Foundational Medicine Review, glutathione supplementation not only helps reduce glutathione deficiency in patients of PD, but it also improvises healthier brain functionality and reduced disruptive symptoms.

Reducing respiratory problems/diseases – severe respiratory problems such as asthma and cystic fibrosis are a direct result of oxidative stress. According to a study published at ResearchGate, glutathione (GSH) – the active form of glutathione – is found to be very productive in reducing severe symptoms of asthma and cystic fibrosis. It does so by battling the oxidative stress in the body, which contributes towards several health issues and not only diseases related to the respiratory system

Reducing the effects of Autism in children – studies have clearly shown the remarkable role glutathione plays in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in autism patients, especially children, as this one study published at Foundational Medicine Review shows. Children with autism suffer from extreme oxidative damage and low levels of glutathione in their brains. This in turn aggravates neurological damage further in children with autism. Glutathione supplements help relieve this aggression and reduce neurological damage for autism patients.

Heals cells and fatty liver disease – glutathione plays a pivotal role in protecting and healing cells and alcoholic/fatty liver problems. Cells in the liver die when there is a deficiency of potent antioxidants, such as glutathione. This leads to fatty liver disease whether a person uses alcohol or not. A pilot study conducted by the Yokohama City University School of Medicine showed significant healing progress with glutathione injection in nonalcoholic fatty liver patients. Similarly, another research published by the researchers at Istituto Policattedra, Università, Bari has shown glutathione's healing detoxifying effects in persons suffering from fatty liver disease, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic.

Curbing the impacts of diabetes – glutathione also plays a crucial role in boosting the natural levels of glutathione in the body. Studies in this regard have shown that long-term high blood sugar levels are associated with reduced levels of glutathione in the body, among other things as well. Glutathione supplements fill up the required need and lower the oxidative stress and damage caused by uncontrolled diabetes.

Conclusion

All in all, it has been proven by various medical professionals and institutions that the health benefits of glutathione are simply remarkable in effect. Not only it treats and reduces the extremely harmful effects of numerous major diseases, but it also replenishes and rejuvenates the body’s major cellular infrastructure.

However, like with every other thing related to health, it is always good in your favor to get a consultation from a professional medical doctor before deciding on the do-it-yourself recovery method, no matter how beneficial one thing sounds.

Along with this important piece of advice, making major changes in your daily life and habits also goes hand in hand with the medicinal therapy. Therefore, make sure you pursue a healthy lifestyle and keep in touch with your doctor and you will most probably live 99+.